An increasing number of individuals are fleeing around the globe.

Approximately 1.5% of the global population... - An increasing number of individuals are fleeing around the globe.

Numerous individuals from around the globe are leaving their homes due to conflicts, wars, persecution, and violence now more than ever before. According to a report by the UN Refugee Agency in Geneva, the amount of displaced persons hit 120 million in May, an10% increase from the previous year. This marks the twelfth consecutive annual increase. Nearly 1.5% of the global population have been driven out of their homes.

Approximately two-thirds of these individuals are escaping within their own country's borders, while the rest have crossed international borders. The majority of those who have left their homes but remained in neighboring countries are hoping to return to their homes soon.

Most Asylum Applications in the US and Germany

In terms of asylum applications, the United States and Germany lead the pack. The United States saw the most applications, with a total of 1.2 million recorded. Germany followed with approximately 330,000. Egypt, Spain, and Canada rounded out the top five.

It is important to note that these figures are not fully directly comparable year after year, as some countries are experiencing improved data situations and changing survey methods. These statistics span back to the founding of the UNHCR in 1951.

Sudan, Israel, and the Climate Crisis Drive Mass Displacement

The battle for power between the army and militias in Sudan as well as Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip were two major catastrophes that forced millions of individuals to endure extreme hardships in 2023. Additionally, large-scale displacements occurred in Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

At a Glance

With an estimated 120 million displaced people worldwide as of May 2024, according to the UNHCR's report, which examines data on failed asylum claims from January through December 2023, there were 117.3 million displaced individuals by the end of 2023. This is an 8% increase from the previous year. 68.3 million sought refuge within their own country. This figure has increased by 50% in the past five years. Germany is home to the fourth largest group of refugees with 2.6 million.

In Sudan, more than 9 million people were displaced since April 2023, including 1.9 million who have left the country. In the Gaza Strip, 55% of the population, or 1.7 million people, were forced to leave their homes. Myanmar experienced a doubling of the number of displaced people, with 2.6 million, due to the military dictatorship's fight against insurgents. Syria holds the distinction of having the largest refugee crisis in the world with 13.8 million displaced individuals, both within the country and outside its borders. Afghanistan has 10.9 million displaced persons, with 6.4 million of them living abroad. Afghans make up the largest group of refugees globally. Ukraine saw 9.7 million displaced people, with 6 million of those individuals residing abroad.

Climate Change Intensifies the Crisis

According to the report, areas impacted by conflicts, poverty, hunger, and poor governance are also the same areas where the effects of the climate crisis are most noticeable. "By the end of 2023, roughly three-quarters of the forcibly displaced individuals lived in countries with high to extremely high climate-related risks," the report stated. This list includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

The race for resources in countries heavily affected by climate change could potentially lead to more migration, particularly in regions where water is scarce or where drought is destroying an increasingly larger amount of harvests and livestock are dying from lack of food and water.

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1. The UN Refugee Agency in Geneva reported an increase of 10% in displaced persons to 120 million in May, with 50% of those remaining within their own borders in countries like Sudan.
2. Germany, along with the USA, leads in asylum applications, with Germany welcoming approximately 330,000 individuals and the USA receiving 1.2 million asylum seekers in 2023.
3. Conflicts, wars, persecution, and violence in countries such as Sudan, Israel, and Myanmar have contributed to the displacement of millions, forcing people to seek refuge within and outside their borders.
4. Egypt, Spain, and Canada also make up the top five countries with the highest number of asylum applications, reflecting the global trend of individuals fleeing their homelands in search of safety and stability.
5. In 2023, the UNHCR reported an 8% increase in displaced individuals worldwide, highlighting the ongoing crisis that impacts an estimated 120 million people global population.
6. Climate change exacerbates the global refugee crisis, with countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen among those experiencing high to extremely high climate-related risks, thereby potentially leading to further migration.

• Severe flooding continues in southern Germany.
• Floods continue to pose a major threat in southern Germany.
• Rising floods in the southern regions
• Floods: water levels remain critical in many places